Red Clay

De: Charles B. Fancher

Narrado por: Dion Graham

An astounding multigenerational saga, Red Clay chronicles the interwoven lives of an enslaved Black family and their white owners as the Civil War ends and Reconstruction begins.

In 1943, when a frail old white woman shows up in Red Clay, Alabama, at the home of a Black former slave—on the morning following his funeral—his family hardly knows what to expect after she utters the words “… a lifetime ago, my family owned yours.” Adelaide Parker has a story to tell—one of ambition, betrayal, violence, and redemption—that shaped both the fate of her family and that of the late Felix H. Parker.

But there are gaps in her knowledge, and she’s come to Red Clay seeking answers from a family with whom she shares a name and a history that neither knows in full. In an epic saga that takes us from Red Clay to Paris, to the Côte d’Azur and New Orleans, human frailties are pushed to their limits as secrets are exposed and the line between good and evil becomes ever more difficult to discern. Red Clay is a tale that deftly lays bare the ugliness of slavery, the uncertainty of the final months of the Civil War, the optimism of Reconstruction, and the pain and frustration of Jim Crow.

With a vivid sense of place and a cast of memorable characters, Charles B. Fancher draws upon his own family history to weave a riveting tale of triumph over adversity, set against a backdrop of societal change and racial animus that reverberates in contemporary America. Through seasons of joy and unspeakable pain, Fancher delivers rich moments as allies become enemies, and enemies—to their great surprise—find new respect for each other.

©2025 Charles B. Fancher (P)2025 Blackstone Publishing

Thoroughly Enjoyable!

Best book I've read in a long time. Fantastic character development. The author really brings the characters to life by showing us all facets of them. No one character is portrayed as all good or all bad, pure innocence or pure evil. They are all multi-faceted and doing their best to progress through the best and worst of times, as well as everything in between. We see them make good and bad choices and how the consequences of those play out. I could go on and on, but it's better to simply say I would definitely recommend reading it and experiencing this book for yourself.

This is best performance of a book I've experienced to date. I generally listen to audiobooks at 1.2x speed because the pacing to too slow for me. I listened too this one and 1x and found it perfectly paced. I will definitely seek out other books recorded by this narrator.

Grabs you

This novel keeps your wrapped up from beginning to end. This author is one to watch for. Definitely adding to my favorite!

The narrator really brought the characters to life.

I loved how we were able to celebrate and cry with the family. I wish I knew what happened to Adelaide’s child. Who they turned out to be and if she ever saw him again.

Engrossing

I am so happy that I selected this audiobook. It was well written and the story kept you engaged. I highly recommend it. It describes African-American history in a multifaceted way. It makes me appreciate how much out ancestors accomplished.

Great book!

I enjoyed this book more than any I’ve heard (or read) in quite some time. The characters are incredibly well drawn, and the tension so genuine, I became lost in it.

I highly recommend it.